August 5, 2008 -
You knew it was only a matter of time.
In the wake of reports that a 19-year-old Thai man murdered a cab driver after playing Grand Theft Auto, embattled Miami attorney Jack Thompson has written a menacing e-mail to the top executives of Take-Two Interactive, publisher of the controversial series.
In the e-mail to T2 chairman Strauss Zelnick and CEO Ben Feder (and copied to dozens of other people, including GamePolitics), Thompson writes:
I warned you both that copycat killings by teens would occur upon the release of Grand Theft Auto IV. Now my prediction has come true...
GP: Except that it's unclear whether the alleged killer was even playing GTA IV. In fact, as we reported, it's not at all clear that GTA IV has even been imported into the Thai market as of yet.
In addition to multiple written warnings, I told you of this coming mayhem in a face-to-face meeting with you, Mr. Zelnick, on Central Park West on May 15, 2007... I am working with authorities now... as well as other remedies against Take-Two for its reckless worldwide distribution of its murder simulation training products...This is just the latest killing incident prompted by your murder simulators. I aim to make it the last...
GP: We covered the Central Park meeting which Thompson refers to here. It took place shortly after Zelnick had seized control of T2, ousting Thompson's previous favorite target, CEO Paul Eibeler.
As to "working with authorities," Thompson often makes such claims.
PS: The above latest copycat killing will help fuel federal legislation in the United States because of your company’s chronic marketing and sale of its mature-rated video games to minors. You are selling GTA IV, for example, to anyone of any age via the Internet.
Comments
Re: No Surprise Dept: Jack Thompson Wades into Thai GTA Case
Jack, let me explain what'll happen if you try and stick your nose into Thailand's business.
You'll end up locked in a jail cell.
You see, they don't want your help in legislating anything, or really any help from you for any purpose. And they don't give half a damn about your opinion.
Re: No Surprise Dept: Jack Thompson Wades into Thai GTA Case
Heh, and by working with authorities, Jack really means getting visits by US Marshels for his bombing federal buildings....figurtivly speaking that is.
Re: No Surprise Dept: Jack Thompson Wades into Thai GTA Case
Blah blah blah. Jack running his mouth again. He has to get as much coverage as he can before he's a nobody.
Re: No Surprise Dept: Jack Thompson Wades into Thai GTA Case
Memo to Jack Thompson: Never gonna happen. Hope you enjoy your last month as a lawyer.
Re: No Surprise Dept: Jack Thompson Wades into Thai GTA Case
I sense increasing desperation on ol' Jack's part. He's been raving with increasing frequency about working with authorities and "important individuals" against Take-Two nd the "criminal conduct" of the Florida Bar.
Since you check this website all the time, Jack, I have a recommendation. Change your signature to "Jack Thompson, Bandwagon Attorney". It seems moe fitting in light of this article.
M. Carusi
Capitol Gaming
augamers.blogspot.com
Re: No Surprise Dept: Jack Thompson Wades into Thai GTA Case
Its so funny "I warned you that there would be copycat killings..."
No crap shirlock, I mean really, there are people out there who will copy anything, if not GTA then maybe some movie. Oh well at least we can always count on Jack for his crazy antics and self-proclaimed savior from the evil video games or like he likes to call "Them killin movin picture murder simulatin thing dohicky whatchamacalit thing."
Re: No Surprise Dept: Jack Thompson Wades into Thai GTA Case
In Thailand, the age of majority is 20, so this guy was legally a minor.
Also this article needs more mention of disbarment for life.
Re: No Surprise Dept: Jack Thompson Wades into Thai GTA Case
So Jack, how's the Florida Bar treating you these days?
Man, what a disgusting human being. Sorry but I have no respect for people who make careers out of exploiting tragedies to further their own agenda.
Re: No Surprise Dept: Jack Thompson Wades into Thai GTA Case
I second that.
Re: No Surprise Dept: Jack Thompson Wades into Thai GTA Case
Ol' Jackie Boy has to have a last hurrah since he's gonna lose his licence. He is just jumping in withoutknowing all the facts. And really I think Jackie Boy has forgotten some basic law, A 19 year old minor? and more importantly.........Jurisdiction. All you have to do is say GTA or T2 entertainment and you'vepulled his string. Seriously Jackie Boy you've mucked up our courts....why do you want to embarrassyourself in the international court.
Let me guess............. it was divine inspiration??? Your legal antics all sound like the fair game policy usedby the Church of Scientology. Do you revere UFOs Jackie??????????
Re: No Surprise Dept: Jack Thompson Wades into Thai GTA Case
With his office in Clearwater, and his general behaviour, I too have questioned his ties to Scientology.
I have been to Ocala, which I think is nearby. In my minds eye I picture Clearwater as a complete and total Scieno stronghold, without any civilians. How far off base am I?
Re: No Surprise Dept: Jack Thompson Wades into Thai GTA Case
It does not matter to Jack.
Re: No Surprise Dept: Jack Thompson Wades into Thai GTA Case
The above latest copycat killing will help fuel federal legislation in the United States
Since when did any routine crime that happens in another country ever had a big influence on what laws we put in place here in the US?
"HAY GUIS SOME GUY IN ROMANIA GOT HIS HEAD CHOPPED OFF WITH A KATANA WE SHOULD BAN KATANAS RITE HERE"
Re: No Surprise Dept: Jack Thompson Wades into Thai GTA Case
You ever get the feeling there's a script somewhere that generates Jack-emails? Some little VB thing that accepts 1) name of game 2) date 3) target 4) brief desc of pseudo-current-event; and generates a grandiose email threatening to tear down the walls of heaven around the sinners?
Re: No Surprise Dept: Jack Thompson Wades into Thai GTA Case
I am no math expert but isn't 19 higher than 17 the rating a Mature Title has?
Re: No Surprise Dept: Jack Thompson Wades into Thai GTA Case
Yes, it is.
Re: No Surprise Dept: Jack Thompson Wades into Thai GTA Case
He also announced that the Florida Bar is expected to issue him a formal apology this week. Proof the man is pretty much living on another plane of reality.
This guy must spend all day posting on the JAAblog, monitoring GP, and typing out press releases, faxes, & emails. I wonder how he fits in time for all that gay porn he apparently likes to look for...
Re: No Surprise Dept: Jack Thompson Wades into Thai GTA Case
Oh? Where did he post this? I missed that assertion.
Re: No Surprise Dept: Jack Thompson Wades into Thai GTA Case
It's kinda lost in the general JTing, but:
False claim, Take Two hasn't been marketing to minors, and any sales via internet retail websites would require a credit card - which is legally proof of either sufficent age, or parental permission.
-Gray17
Re: No Surprise Dept: Jack Thompson Wades into Thai GTA Case
But you have to remember, John Bruce does not understand law. Just because he has the title "Lawyer" does not mean that he understands law. He is an idiot when it comes to law comprehension.
He even had that part of the law pointed out to him by Take Two who linked him directly to that portion of the FTC's website. Yet he still claims they are breaking some kind of law.
E. Zachary Knight
http://www.editorialgames.com
Oklahoma City Chapter of the ECA
MySpace Page: http://www.myspace.com/okceca
Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1325674091
E. Zachary Knight
Divine Knight Gaming
OK Game Devs
Random Tower
Re: No Surprise Dept: Jack Thompson Wades into Thai GTA Case
"But you have to remember, John Bruce does not understand law. Just because he has the title "Lawyer" does not mean that he understands law. He is an idiot when it comes to law comprehension."
... or logic, or reason, or ...
I could go on. :P
400 Episodes, TEN YEARS and counting: http://www.orangeloungeradio.com/ | Voice of Geeks Network - http://www.vognetwork.com
Re: No Surprise Dept: Jack Thompson Wades into Thai GTA Case
I know, just pointing out the error for any that may have missed the correction before.
And I don't think that Jack's problem is that he doesn't understand law, it's that his reasoning ability in general is damaged. The scariest thing about the Kellogg and Cardenas was looking at some of the reasoning he used to come up with his slander.
-Gray17
Re: No Surprise Dept: Jack Thompson Wades into Thai GTA Case
Never let the facts get in the way of a witch hunt.
Re: No Surprise Dept: Jack Thompson Wades into Thai GTA Case
If we push GTA off a cliff and it flies off it proves its a witch, if it doesn't then well, whoops.
Re: No Surprise Dept: Jack Thompson Wades into Thai GTA Case
"This is just the latest killing incident prompted by your murder simulators. I aim to make it the last..."
HMm, well, I take that to mean he intends for more blood to be spilled to try and give his crusade more merit. I think I'll avoid Gamestop, Best Buy, Wal Mart or Target until I hear Thompson has been imprisoned or institutionalized, because frankly that statement scares the ever livign shit out of me. The Marshals better watch him more closeley.
Re: No Surprise Dept: Jack Thompson Wades into Thai GTA Case
ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ. Huh, what, oh, i feel asleep during his rant.
I also want an answer to the question. "When is a 19 y.o. a minor?
Or better yet, "When will Jack shut up?"
Re: No Surprise Dept: Jack Thompson Wades into Thai GTA Case
You are disbarred from the Florida Bar
Also there is no proof of the 19 year old ever playing GTA IV since the game has not even been in Thiland yet.
Re: No Surprise Dept: Jack Thompson Wades into Thai GTA Case
The question that is even bigger than "when is a 19y.o. a minor?" is When are the policies and laws of THAILAND applicable to the united states, and any other country for that matter?
Re: No Surprise Dept: Jack Thompson Wades into Thai GTA Case
It doesn't matter what his age is. He'll just claim that he's only 19 by age only, and by playing other video games, he retarded himself down to the mental age of 2.
Re: No Surprise Dept: Jack Thompson Wades into Thai GTA Case
GTA 4 are imported to Thailand or marketed by TAKE-TWO but by the game shops or via third-party so take that JACK!!!!!
also the GTA that are blame on the news are NOT GTA 4 but something unknown version that can be "play online"
Re: No Surprise Dept: Jack Thompson Wades into Thai GTA Case
Actually, GTA4 does have online play ^^;
Re: No Surprise Dept: Jack Thompson Wades into Thai GTA Case
yeah Iknow but what I trying to say is that earlier version of GTA as mention in the news doesn't online option
Re: No Surprise Dept: Jack Thompson Wades into Thai GTA Case
If you're really from Thailand, you know as well as I do that you can probably get a hold of a pirated copy around Pantip Plaza in Bangkok.
Having said that, I don't believe that this kid played it.
Re: No Surprise Dept: Jack Thompson Wades into Thai GTA Case
GTA 4 are NOT imported to Thailand or marketed by TAKE-TWO sorry mistake earlier
Re: No Surprise Dept: Jack Thompson Wades into Thai GTA Case
Jack when will you learn....YOU CAN NOT BAN VIDEO GAMES IN THE US!!!!
Re: No Surprise Dept: Jack Thompson Wades into Thai GTA Case
How is a 19 year old guy a minor? Even if there were a 100% effective ban on selling the game to anyone under the age of 18, it still wouldn't have stopped this.
Re: No Surprise Dept: Jack Thompson Wades into Thai GTA Case
Thats it. I've lost all sympathy for this man. He has prvoved once and for all that he will never change.
He continually makes these accusations knowing that he is full of crap. I sicerely hope this man suffers. If the authorities actually listen to this man, I'll be suprised.
Re: No Surprise Dept: Jack Thompson Wades into Thai GTA Case
I lost it the day the bodies weren't even counted yet and he went on live TV to attribute the Virginia Tech killings to Counter Strike. His complete lack of regard for the truth pales in comparison to his disregard for decency.
The more outragous his claims, the less creditability he retains.
Re: No Surprise Dept: Jack Thompson Wades into Thai GTA Case
Same here, I was mildly disgusted by what he did in the past, but that was also where I "lost it" with this immoral and seriously demented individual who needs the law "tool" he likes to abuse permanently taken away.
As for the gaming side, I never really cared too much because of what a joke and failure he proved himself to be.
Re: No Surprise Dept: Jack Thompson Wades into Thai GTA Case
Not to mention the panel report proved him wrong.
Re: No Surprise Dept: Jack Thompson Wades into Thai GTA Case
I noticed nobody's asked this important question yet: Since when is a 19 year old a minor?
Chris 'coldacid' Charabaruk <coldacid.net>
IGDA Indie SIG Coordinator, Programmer, Designer
Chris 'coldacid' Charabaruk <coldacid.net>
IGDA Indie SIG Coordinator, Programmer, Designer
Re: No Surprise Dept: Jack Thompson Wades into Thai GTA Case
He's nineteen.
That's sadly all the reasoning Jack needs to make the claim that "teens are killing because of your murder simulator trainers" when it's more oft than not that when one hears or reads "teens" in most cases, the age range considered is 14-17.
And you know how Jack likes to play at being verbose.
Re: No Surprise Dept: Jack Thompson Wades into Thai GTA Case
and the fact you're legally considered an ADULT when you're 18.
Re: No Surprise Dept: Jack Thompson Wades into Thai GTA Case
In the mind of Jack Thompson since when does it matter? The guy could be 108 and Jack would still claim they were selling the game to a minor.
Re: No Surprise Dept: Jack Thompson Wades into Thai GTA Case
Hang on a second, isn't JT banned from taking any action against T2?
Re: No Surprise Dept: Jack Thompson Wades into Thai GTA Case
Yes. But if I was Jack, since they've made absolutely no attempt to enforce the terms of the Agreement despite his countless breaches thereof, I'd be ignoring it, too.
Re: No Surprise Dept: Jack Thompson Wades into Thai GTA Case
Any chance that the "authorities" that Jack's "working with" include the U.S. Marshal Service?
Re: No Surprise Dept: Jack Thompson Wades into Thai GTA Case
Naa, it is the FBI and the Secrete Service... They always check such things out and return his calls...
Yeah right, we all know that it just means he spammed them via phone, email, FAX, etc, and they ignored it like with all the other nuts who send them their ramblings & crazy conspiracy theories.
Wonder if he also submitted his doctored drivers license to them....
Re: No Surprise Dept: Jack Thompson Wades into Thai GTA Case
actually ill bet money those authorities are the local department of mental health
Re: No Surprise Dept: Jack Thompson Wades into Thai GTA Case
YAY, first. Dammit knew this was gonna happen sooner or later.....
I think jack uses any chance he can to make video games look bad....